Wing commander thomas neil book scramble

Wing commander thomas ginger neil dfc, afc, ae is a battle of britain ace with 14 confirmed kills downed planes to his name, but the first thing he does is shoot down some myths. Raf pilots scramble their aircraft during the battle of britain. This is a fighter pilots memoir of four tumultuous years, 19381942, when he was first trained, then fought and survive. Wing commander tom neil dfc, afc hardback edition, 2015. Tom neil facts, bio, family, life, updates 2020 sticky. I would place this alongside geoffrey wellums first light as the best way to relive flying a spitfire, or in neil s case, a hurricane, aged 19, pitchforked into ariel combat after a relatively short and equally hazardous training stint. Those valiant few framed collectors piece aces high.

It was late in the afternoon of sunday, 18 august 1940. This is the spirit for dealing with the enemy chief of air staff, 18 august 1940. Po thomas f ginger neil of no 249 squadron raf was among the pilots used in a bbc radio broadcast in 1940, the other being po eric s sawn off lock of no 41 squadron raf. In 1948 in went to wrightpatterson afb, dayton, ohio. Size1 wing commander thomas francis neil, dfc, afc, 249 squadron, yorkshire, hurricanes. Each book has been personally signed to the title page by the author. Wing commander thomas francis neil we have recently discovered that autographica guest wing commander tom neil, as well as being a wwii pilot and with an incredible record, was also involved in the early stages of the american space programme. Scramble ebook by tom neil 9781445649528 rakuten kobo. The novel describes the firekka campaign of the tigers claw, featuring also the defection of lord ralgha known as hobbes in wing commander ii and iii.

Wing commander thomas francis ginger neil, dfc, afc, ae is a famous world war ii royal air force fighter pilot, ace and one of the few remaining survivors of the battle of britain. This mainly came through the research for my book which centred on one of these gallant men, sqnldr kenneth mcglashan afc. Thomas francis ginger neil, 14 july 1920 11 july 2018 was a british aviator and a fighter pilot and flying ace in the royal air force. Read scramble the dramatic story of a young fighter pilots experiences during the battle of britain and the siege of malta by tom neil available from rakuten kobo. This is a fighter pilots story of eight memorable months from may to december 1940. During his career, neil was awarded two distinguished flying crosses for the destruction of at least. Pdf gun button to fire download full pdf book download. With a major reliance on early warning radar, raf crew would sit outside their squadron hqs dressed and ready for action. Just eight brave men remain of the near 3,000strong aircrew who served with the raf fighter command during the main battle of britain. Wing commander thomas francis ginger neil is one of the last surviving pilots who flew during the battle of britain. Neil flew during the battle of britain, and shot down 14 enemy aircraft during the second world war.

Wing commander tom neil individuals aviation art by. Then plt off tom ginger neil, in front of nicholson vcs aircraft during the battle of britain. The amazing story of one of the few, fighter ace tom neil who shot down enemy aircraft during the battle of britain. Wing commander tom neil, was among nearly 3,000 raf airmen dubbed the few by winston churchill to take to the skies during the summer and autumn of 1940 to defend britain from german. As well as raf service during the siege of malta, wing commander neil, who is now in his late nineties, also served with the americans during the dday. The definition of ace is that he had five confirmed kills on one day. Hornchurch scramble the hardest days part ii aces high. The dramatic story of a young fighter pilot s experiences during the battle of britain, by tom neil, is published by amberley. Po thomas f ginger neil of no 249 squadron raf was. Wing commander yeothomas undertook a second mission on the 17th september 1943.

This is tom neils memoir, covering the years 1938 to 1942, when he went from a trainee pilot in the royal air force raf to a fullfledged fighter pilot who saw action in 2 of the most crucial, decisive battles of the second world war. Wing commander tom neil dfc afc ae was one of the rafs most successful fighter pilots, credited with the destruction of more than 17 enemy aircraft, the majority of which during the battle of britain. Battle of britain pilot, tom neil, passes away britain. In addition to the silver spitfire, neil s books about his adventures included scramble. On 26 december 1941 neil left malta and in 1942 he became tactics officer for no. Wing commander tom neil autographica 14 showmasters. Battle of britain pilot tom chooses a turning bed to futureproof his independence and ability to stay at home. I, gnf v73 was tom neil s hurricane whilst flying with 249 squadron during 1940 you can read more about this in toms book scramble. Also happy to write for us in this important anniversary year for the museum is the amaz ing dr helen doe whose father wing.

He retired from the raf in 1964 having reached the rank of wing commander. With the rear section of his aircraft gone, the plane was out of control and hurtling to the ground, yet somehow he managed to bail out and miraculously survived with only a minor leg injury. Case study how equipment helped wing commander thomas francis ginger neil. Freedom flight was written by mercedes lackey and ellen guon. Robert taylors masterful new painting, hornchurch scramble, portrays the moment as 54 squadrons commanding officer, squadron leader james leathart, taxis out at hornchurch to prepare for takeoff. Swanwick squadron leader nigel rose squadron leader tony iveson dfc ae. When the germans were blitzing their way across france, pilot officer tom neil had just received his first posting to 249 squadron. Wing commander tom neil, battle of britain fighter ace.

Gun button to fire available for download and read online in other formats. Hornchurch scramble the hardest days by robert taylor. Undeterred, he continued his enquires and obtained information which enabled the desperate situation to be rectified. Just eight pilots remain of the battle of britain few. In december 1941, neil was transferred and eventually became liaison officer to the us 9th air forces 100th fighter wing. Wing commander tom neil dfc afc ae group captain billy drake dso dfc. What was the secret to winning the battle of britain. Wing commander tom neil, who has died aged 97, was one of the last two surviving battle of britain fighter aces. Both pilots had newly been awarded the dfc, neil on 8 and lock on 1 october, with the former 19yearold airman often being roped in by the am because of his height and bankable looks. Wing commander thomas francis ginger neil is an ace fighter pilot raf squadron no.

He then became liaison officer to the us 9th air forces 100th fighter wing. Neil scored a total of 14 kills during the second world war. A gentle breeze floated over the raf front line airfield at hornchurch as exhausted young pilots of the 54 squadron enjoyed a rare opportunity to rest and reflect on their two encounters with the enemy earlier that day. He has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences. Called up on 2nd september 1939, neil went to 4 itw. The battle was crucial in stopping a nazi invasion. Unfortunately, kenneth passed away in 2005, but i was truly. During memorial day of the 73rd anniversary of the battle of britain on july 14, 20, i met tom neil who served during world war two in. Wing commander tom neil dfc, afc, one of the last of the few and a regular visitor to the battle of britain memorial in recent years, has died. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This diecast model hurricane comes personally handsigned by wing commander tom neil. Soon after his arrival in france, many patriots were arrested. Spitfire scramble by philip west aviation art hangar.

Quickly following, the aircraft of new zealander colin gray is. Wing cdr neil, who died on wednesday evening 11 july, just three days before his 98th birthday, flew hurricanes with no 249 squadron throughout the battle of britain. Amazingly enough, wing commander neil is still alive, aged 97. He is due to be there that day signing his wonderful book scramble and copies of the kent battle of britain muse um magazine. Another of the few leaves us the battle of britain. Wing commander neil, who is now in his late nineties, also served with the americans during the dday landings. He went on to see further combat in malta before returning to the uk to fly spitfires over the channel and elsewhere during 1943. His 1987 memoir gun button to fire was cited by sir john grandy, his commanding officer during the war and the former marshal of the royal air force, as the best book he had read on the battle of britain. Neil achieved fighter ace status during world war ii and scored a total of 14 victories during the war.